CVE-2019-25602 in GSearch
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2026
GSearch 1.0.1.0 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by inputting an excessively long string in the search bar. Attackers can paste a buffer of 2000 characters into the search field, click search, and select any result to trigger an application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25602 affects GSearch version 1.0.1.0, a desktop search application that processes user input through its search interface. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests as a denial of service attack vector, allowing local adversaries with access to the application to deliberately disrupt its operation. The flaw specifically occurs within the input handling mechanism of the search functionality, where the application fails to properly validate or limit the length of strings submitted by users. The vulnerability operates through a straightforward exploitation technique where an attacker inputs a 2000-character string into the search bar, then triggers the search function and selects any result to cause the application to crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to disrupt normal application behavior. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed by any local user with access to the application, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the search processing module of GSearch. When the application receives input exceeding its expected parameters, it fails to properly handle the oversized buffer, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application termination. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows. The specific attack pattern follows the methodology outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1499.004, which encompasses network denial of service attacks, though this instance operates locally rather than over network protocols. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear lack of defensive programming practices where input validation should occur before processing user data, particularly in interactive components such as search interfaces that are designed to handle arbitrary user input.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on GSearch for local file and content discovery. The denial of service impact means that legitimate users may experience application crashes during normal usage, potentially disrupting productivity and creating a false sense of application instability. The vulnerability's local nature limits its scope compared to remote exploits, but it still represents a critical weakness that could be leveraged as part of a broader attack strategy. Security teams may find this vulnerability particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal application usage patterns, making it difficult to distinguish from legitimate user errors. The 2000-character threshold suggests that the application has insufficient input sanitization mechanisms, and attackers could potentially craft longer inputs to cause more severe memory corruption or even execute arbitrary code depending on the underlying implementation details. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input length limits and defensive programming practices in user-facing applications.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2019-25602 should focus on implementing robust input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the GSearch application. Software developers should enforce strict character limits on search input fields, typically well below the 2000-character threshold that triggers the crash. The application should implement proper buffer management techniques including input length validation, dynamic memory allocation with appropriate bounds checking, and defensive programming practices that prevent memory corruption. Organizations should also consider applying immediate patches or updates to GSearch if available, as this vulnerability affects a specific version of the software and likely has a straightforward fix. System administrators should monitor for unusual search activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, and implement application whitelisting where possible to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable software. Additionally, security awareness training for end users can help prevent accidental exploitation through social engineering or other attack vectors that might attempt to leverage this weakness. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security testing and code review processes to identify similar input validation issues in other applications within the organization's software ecosystem.